CAPABLE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

capable

adjective

ˈkā-pə-bəl

Definition of capable

as in suitable

having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance a capable and efficient editor

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of capable Neither was capable of providing for citizens made desperate by endless war and endemic poverty, who were often left to fend for themselves. — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 As an aside, this is a capable gaming machine even at high resolutions. — Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 19 Sep. 2026 Modern militaries consume materiel at an incredible clip, and their adversaries have become increasingly capable of disrupting the production and supply networks needed to replace it. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026 As generative AI has become capable of handling much of the work that once justified junior content hires, startups had an obvious reason to postpone building communications teams. — Andrey Insarov, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for capable

Adjective

For Parks, making lemonade from art market lemons seemed a suitable metaphor for this moment.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
With 42mm object lenses, these binoculars admit plenty of light and are suitable for basic stargazing.

— Chris McMullen, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of suitable

Adjective

There is also the problem of finding enough qualified people to do the work.

— Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
The rules expressly allowed up to three horses but otherwise restricted livestock and poultry unless the animals qualified as household pets.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of qualified

Adjective

This is why disconnected freelance production can disappoint even when every individual piece is perfectly competent.

— Andrey Insarov, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Lynch was arraigned on murder charges in December, but he was initially found not competent to stand trial and was committed to a New York State Office of Mental Health hospital.

— Katie Houlis, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of competent

Adjective

Those concessions were not enough for Democrats, who sent a counteroffer late Monday to expand the ethics provision but were not able to strike a final deal.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Also, because the threat was able to be confirmed in real time, the emergency dispatch queued the event as a priority crime in progress rather than a low-priority unverified alarm and saved the day.

— Robert Messer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of able

Browse Nearby Words

capability

capable

capableness

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“Capable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capable. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of capable

adjective

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